Ellice loses track of time at a friend’s house and runs home to make sure that Martha and Sam are safe from Willie Jay. When she gets to the house, she finds Martha crying on the back steps. Ellice rushes to the shed where Willie Jay locks Sam in as punishment and lets Sam out. Since it is a hot day, Sam is extremely dehydrated. Ellice takes him inside to give him water and recover.

Ellice takes Sam to Vera’s house. Ellice tells Vera that she is scared to go to school in Virginia because of what could happen to Sam while she is gone. Ellice asks Vera if Martha and Sam would be okay if Willie Jay was not around anymore. Vera tells her that she is sure that they would be fine and if Ellice needs help getting Willie Jay out of the house, she will help her.

Ellice drives back to Atlanta and goes to see Vera. Vera recognizes her and Ellice is glad she can talk to her as herself. However, Ellice realizes quickly that Vera thinks she is still a child, because she tells her that she will not let Willie Jay hurt her anymore.